Mike Amos

Sports Columnist

The 10th Annual Bill Jackson 4-Ball Golf Tournament held at the Troy Country Club this past weekend was another huge success.

The tournament sponsored by Bill Jackson Chevrolet could very well be the best 4-Ball Tournament in the state. This year’s two-day event attracted 96 teams from as far away as Texas.

Of course it’s always hard to beat good Troy golfers on their own golf course and this year was no exception. Winning the "Jackson Classic" were two of Troy’s top stock brokers Colin McCrary of A.G. Edwards and Terry Mobley of Troy Bank and Trust.

The twosome shot an 11-under-par 61 on Saturday and a 64 on Sunday for a total score of 125 which was five strokes better than Dothan’s Tim Mitchell and Ian Brendle at 66-64-130. Troy’s Alton Starling and Danny Lee finished third (66-65-131), and in fourth place was the team of Jim Jackson and Jeff Taylor (66-66-137).

In the "B" Division the team of former Troy State baseball player Brian Dunn of Eufaula and Stan Caldwell (70-68-138), won by one stroke over the teams of Royce Richardson and Tim Roberts of Montgomery and Pike County residents Josh Prestwood and Jason Ellis who tied for second with identical scores of 69-70-139. Elba’s Dale Crowe and Ken Martin (69-71-140) and Troy’s Lyle Wise and Johnny Law (70-70-140) tied for fourth place in the "B" Division.

The "C" Division of the championship flight also ended in a tie. Troy State offensive coordinator Don Jacobs and UNA’s Billy Gamble finished with 71-69-140 as did two Charles Henderson High School golfers, Will Mills and Eric Mitchell. Third place went to the team of Cadwick and Tom Welch of Milton, Florida (71-70-141) while the father-and-son team of Steve Jinright and Steve Jinright of Montgomery finished fourth.

First Flight also ended in a tie between Chuck Dickert and Trey Henderson (72-67-139) of Brundidge and Greenville natives Todd and Ashley Norman (72-67-139). Geneva’s Jeremy Casey and Buddy Lee finished alone in the third spot (72-71-143) while Troy’s L.B. Pevehouse and Luverne’s Terry Sport finished fourth (72-74-146).

Father-and-son tandem of Opp’s Ricky and Richard Gilcrest, won first place honors in the second flight (74-70-144). There was a three-way tie for second place with the teams of Goshen’s Jimmy Norman and Petry’s Ronald Petry (73-72-145), Troy’s Marv Dillard and Toney Smith (74-71-145) and Troy’s Phil Morgan and Jerry Reeves (74-71-145).

Third Flight was won by Enterprise’s Trevor Lane and Chris Loftin (76-67-143). In second place was Michael McCart and Dennis Pope of Elba (76-69-145) followed by the third place team of Harold Saxon and Jake Saxon of Ashland (77-69-146). Will Washington and Mark Woodham (76-72-148) were fourth.

The father/son combo of Tony Hudson and son Troy Hudson won the Fourth Flight (78-71-149). Ashland’s Jared and Toney Tomlin placed second (78-74-152) while John House and Oates were in a third place tie with Troy’s Mike Lott and Paul Scarbrough (77-76-153).

The fifth flight was won by Troy’s Doug Kitchens (79-75-154). Bill Jackson and Tallassee’s Tommy Hatchett (79-78-157) was good enough for second place. Former Trojans Garnett and Tim Rigsby were alone in third place (80-82-162).

Winning the Women’s "A" Division Championships was the team of Lori Garrett and young Allison Mitchell (66-68-134). Mitchell, the daughter of TCC pro, Toney Mitchell, made a hole in one on the par three 169-yard second hole. It was her first ever Ace. One stroke back in second place was TCC’s Women’s Club champion Alice Mullen and Joyce Kaysing of Montgomery (68-67-135).

The Women’s "B" Division was won by Troy’s Sylvia Hudson and Lisa Wise (76-76-152). The second place prize went to Elba’s Lucia Grantham and New Brockton’s Janice Strickland (77-77-154).

Bill Jackson’s done it again! It was a great tournament with 192 participants.

Need to congratulate Troy’s Joey Holley who was recently named the Alabama Golfers Association "Amateur Golfer of the Year." Holley, a native of Elba, placed third the past weekend in the prestigious State Amateur Championships held at the beautiful Willow Point Country Club in Alexander City.

Halley’s four day total of 71-71-70-69-281 was just two strokes behind the winner Payton Osborn of Birmingham (73-68-72-68-279). Second place went to Alex City’s Nick Rousey (70-71-71-68-280). Troy State golfer Robbie Cotton of Brewton tied for sixth with a 289 overall.

All eyes in Troy this weekend will be on former Tennessee golfer Jake Reeves. Jake the son of Troy’s Jerry and Susan Reeves is playing at Pebble Beach this week, the site of the U.S. Open.

Reeves, who plays regularly on the Nike Tour, qualified last week for the U.S. Open Championship. His father Jerry, a former All-American football player at Troy State, is a native of Americus, Georgia while his mother Susan grew up in Troy. He is the grandson of Mrs. Virginia Gwin and the late Jimmy Gwin of Troy.

Jerry and Susan left Tuesday for Pebble Beach to join in all the fun and excitement with their son. I’m sure when Tee-Time approaches ole mom and dad will be about as nervous as Jake will be.

Good luck Jake! And congratulations on this great honor in golf.